Over four years have passed since HELHEIM released their last album, and now the veteran Norwegian Viking metallers are set to release their eighth full-length album on the 4th December on Dark Essence Records. Titled “raunijaR”, the album was recorded at Conclave & Earshot Studio by VULTURE INDUSTRIES’ Bjørnar Nilsen and was mastered by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen.

In the intervening years between 2011’s critically acclaimed “Heiðindómr ok Mótgangr” and the upcoming release of “raunijaR” , HELHEIM have been both experimenting with, and building on, their unique take on the Viking Metal genre. As well as completing the themes that have woven their way through HELHEIM’s music since the very beginning, it is with “raunijaR” that the band completes the “Åsgards Fall ” storyline that began with the EP of that name in 2010.

HELHEIM’s lineup comprises V’gandr on bass and vocals, H’grimnir on guitar and vocals, Hrymr on drums and Noralf on guitars. V’gandr himself has been expanding and perfecting his clean vocals, and now, when the two vocalists combine to sing clean vocals new elements are added to the band’s sound. Guest vocals on “raunijaR” come from ALFAHANNE’s Pehr Skjoldhammer and Norwegian musician William Hut, with additional guests performing on violin, piano and horns to further enhance HELHEIM’s dark and heavy atmospheres and create a truly epic masterpiece.

Artwork is by H’grimnir of www.coverart.no. Track listing on “raunijaR” as follows:

Commenting on “raunijaR” V’gandr had this to say: “The opening track “Helheim 9” is actually the last in the line of the HELHEIM tracks where Hrymr in particular has been the creative force. He has combined his unique creativity and symbolism in a way that overwhelms everything that came before, and the result is a truly fitting closure.

“The title track “raunijaR” continues on from Helheim’s “Heiðindómr ok Mótgangr”, and has a relentlessly driving sound that showcases the confrontational, yet familiar, black metal sound in the vein of “Dualitet og Ulver”. “Åsgards Fall” Parts 3 and 4 will be the final and vital link in the completion of the theme that was begun in both lyrical and musical terms with the “Åsgards Fall” MCD. Closing the album is “Odr”, a solemn track that gives the album an ending full of the grandeur and respect that it deserves.”

In November HELHEIM will make a special appearance at BlekkMetal Festival which runs from the 13th to the 15th November at USF Verftet in Bergen. The one-off event is billed as a tribute to the birth of the Norwegian Black Metal scene, and will hark back to the atmosphere, bands, art and individuals from the scene pre 1994. HELHEIM will perform their debut album “Jormundgand” on Saturday 14th to mark the 20th Anniversary of its release. They will also be interviewed live on stage along with ENSLAVED, and will be discussing how their lyrical narratives and their musical craft have been influenced by their Viking roots and traditions.

Included on the BlekkMEtal bill are veteran bands such as TAAKE, KAMPFAR, AETERNUS, HADES ALMIGHTY, GEHENNA, ENSLAVED, and brand new bands such GAAHLS WYRD, and a special onetime only reunion of the legendary OLD FUNERAL. Also appearing will be The C.L.A.S.P. Ritual /Dirge Rep – a tribute band consisting of legendary musicians such as Dirge Rep himself, Skagg, Gaahl, Garm and many more.

Some of the top Norwegian tattoo artists will be present at the event, and will be available for appointments, including, Colin Dale, Kai Uwe Faust and Tor Ola Svennevig, three Viking tattooists who work entirely by hand, without the use of machines. Art exhibitions, movies and guest speakers will also be featured at the event. More information about the BlekkMetal Festival, as well as ticket details can be found at www.blekkmetal.com

DARK ESSENCE RECORDS invites you to attend our annual listening session where we present our fall 2015 album releases. As always our listening session take place as a part of the official program during the Beyond the Gates Festival taking place during the last weekend of August in Bergen Norway.

We will be presenting tracks from the upcoming albums from ALFAHANNE, ORKAN, 3rd ATTEMPT and LUCIFER’S CHILD and more. And most likely more good stuff too!

The listening session is open for all – not just the festival audience at Beyond the Gates.
Hope to see you there!

Dark Essence Records have announced March 16th as the release date for “De gjenlevende”, the new album from Norwegian Black-Folk Metallers GALAR. The album, which will be the band’s 3rd full-length, was recorded at the Conclave and Earshot Studio in Bergen with producer and VULTURE INDUSTRIES frontman Bjørnar E. Nilsen handling the recording and mixing , whilst the mastering is by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen. Artwork for the album is by Robert Høyem of graphic designers Overhaus. The track “Tusen kall til solsang ny” from “De gjenlevende”, has been debuted today and can be heard at http://soundcloud.com/galarofficial/sets/til-alle-heimsens-endar

Joining the lineup for the album is Phobos (AETERNUS, GRAVDAL, MALSAIN) who was once again drafted in to handle the drums, as well as several session musicians including both a string quintet and a horn quartet – unusual elements that are ideally suited to the epic nature of the six-track concept album. Track listing for “De gjenlevende”, which is sung entirely in Norwegian, but which is accompanied by an explanatory booklet in English, as follows:

Whilst “De gjenlevende” loses nothing of the epic grandeur that fans have come to expect from the band, this time GALAR also delve further into their harsher and more extreme sound alongside their trademark symphonic elements. As the band’s lyricist Jorge Blutaar recently explained, the concept for “De gjenlevende” is inspired by Pan-European folklore, ontology, and elegies. “Its five contemplative texts tell of the utter dreadfulness that haunts both the human mind and body when the season of winter holds every living thing in its grasp. Winter is the time of utter gloom, enfeeblement and inescapable death, which challenges mankind, beasts and plants equally. Yet, as long as there is life, there is hope, and eventually a new era of the Sun will bring to an end the seemingly eternal darkness of winter. With the arrival of spring hope and life will flourish once more. It is a portrayal of this cyclical process of transformation that is as old as the history of mankind itself”.

GALAR’s founders M. Kristiansen (screams, guitars and bass) and A. B. Lauritzen (clean vocals, bassoon and grand piano) recently announced that they had expanded the band’s lineup to include drummer Tomas Myklebust (ex-EMANCER, live session drums with VULTURE INDUSTRIES and VRIED), and have also added live session member Pól Nolsøe Jespersen on lead guitars. The first time the new lineup will hit the stage will be at Inferno Festival in Oslo on the 1st of April at the Dark Essence Records label night at Blå, alongside label-mates TAAKE, KRAKOW and MOMENTUM.

“De gjenlevende” is available to pre order from DARK ESSENCE RECORDS at http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/product/galar-de-gjennlevende or direct from GALAR at http://galar.bigcartel.com/product/de-gjenlevende

Five tracks from GALAR, including “Tusen kall til solsang ny” from “De gjenlevende”, can be heard here:

If fans of KRAKOW thought they knew exactly what to expect from the upcoming album from the Norwegian Experimental Post Metallers, they are going to be very surprised, because, with “amaran”, the band has chosen to explore not only the calmer side of their sound, but also the more experimental, drone side, creating a work that is filled both with dream-like soundscapes and sinister and harsh atmospheres. As a taster of what to expect, Dark Essence Records have debuted “atom”, a track from “amaran”, and it can be heard below and at https://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records/krakow-atom

Formed in the fall of 2005, KRAKOW ‘s lineup consists of very skilled and experienced musicians with Kjartan Grønhaug on guitars, René Misje on guitars and vocals, bassist Frode Kilvik (AETERNUS, VITHR) and Ask Ty Ulvhedin Arctander (KAMPFAR) on drums. According to KRAKOW, the making of “amaran”, which is a follow up up to 2012’s much praised sophomore album “diin”, has been “a journey, never easy, but always thrilling”. Once again the band has worked with producer Iver Sandøy at Solslottet and Duper Studio. The seven-track album is set to appear on Dark Essence Records on the 9th February 2015 in CD, Vinyl and Digital formats.

Artwork for the “amaran” is by Thomas Hooper and the track listing is as follows:

Earlier this year KRAKOW issued a studio update, in which they talked about the different approach they took to recording “amaran” as opposed to their previous albums: “Towards the end of last year we recorded 10 demos which we brought with us to the amazing Duper Studio with Iver Sandøy, once again positioned behind the desk. The approach this time was in some ways different than during the “diin” sessions. We still record everything live as a band, but we wanted a bit more definition, less distortion, cleaner drums, more focus on the songs and melodies that lived within the compositions. The music is still dark, melodic and mysterious, but this time with a different angle.

“During the sessions we almost killed Kjartan’s Mesa Mark III with a steel reverb and Space Echo, used the smallest acoustic guitar on this side of Equator, and recorded accordion, broken chair, surf guitar, cassette player guitar, singing though a piano and open windows during a storm, just to name a few. The whole recording session ended with a lot of red wine and 18 minutes of pure dark drone”.

More information about KRAKOW can be found on the band’s website at http://www.krakowofficial.com/

Six tracks from KRAKOW can be heard on the band’s SoundCloud page at https://soundcloud.com/krakow_band

Fan-filmed footage of KRAKOW performing the track “Termination of Origin” from the “diin” album can be seen below and on the band’s YouTube channel at http://youtu.be/Ku9B1bWCWjc

“Stridens hus” takes the unique Taake sound and develops it further. Still true to the spirit of the old Norwegian Black Metal, Hoest breathes new life into the genre by introducing different elements that ensure the sound remains fresh and relevant. Some parts are more groove and rock orientated, whilst some have a distinctly punk attitude. However, this is still unmistakably Taake and, as always, we’re treated to a varied album with intense, unique and unpredictable dynamics.

Once again, Hoest plays all the instruments himself, but this time the Taake live band has contributed to the recording, alongside producer and DARK ESSENCE’s own Bjørnar E. Nilsen.

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HOW TO ORDER

To purchase this album as physical product from webshop (creditcard/ Paypal): Click here

Listen to or stream the album in your preferred digital music service by clicking here:

DARK ESSENCE RECORDS RELEASES NEW TAAKE EP “KULDE”

As a warm-up to the upcoming Taake fullenght studioalbum “Stridens Hus” – DARK ESSENCE RECORDS is happy to release a new TAAKE EP. The EP is called “KULDE” (English: Cold). It contains exclusive new material from Taake and a cover of The Cure.

You can listen to Kulde in the digital music service of your choice via this link:

With the traditional three year wait between TAAKE albums now over, Dark Essence Records has today announced the first details of what will be the iconic Norwegian band’s sixth full-length album. Titled “Stridens hus”, the seven-track album is set for release on the 8th December world-wide, with the exception of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, where the album will appear on the 12th of the month . The label has also debuted the track “Det fins en Prins” from “Stridens hus” and it can be heard below and at https://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records/taake-det-fins-en-prins

“Stridens hus” is recorded and produced by Bjornar Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES) at his Conclave and Earshot Studios in Bergen. As with all TAAKE albums, frontman and founder Hoest plays all the instruments himself, but this time members of the TAAKE live band have also contributed to the recording. Album artwork from a photo by Nekrographie. Track Listing as follows:

With a career spanning over two decades, Hoest has always remained faithful to his trademark Helnorsk Svartmetall sound, but he has never allowed the grass to grow under his feet, and, with each release, he has breathed new life into an often stale and derivative genre; his unique and innovative twists ensuring that Black Metal still remains fresh and relevant today. And “Stridens hus” is no exception. Parts of the album demonstrate a groove and rock sound, whilst others dsiplay a distinctly punk attitude. But the whole is without a doubt unmistakably Hoest’s TAAKE: varied, intense, unique and unpredictable.

TAAKE is currently in the middle of the Kulde Tour which will end on the 26th October. Other confirmed upcoming shows as follows:

In a statement that caught fans of the legendary Norwegian band by surprise, HADES ALMIGHTY frontman and bassist Janto has announced that after 22 years he will be leaving the band. Both Janto and the remaining members have reassured fans that his reasons for leaving are purely personal, and that relations between everyone are still as strong as they ever were.

Formed in 1992 by guitarist Jorn (DOMINANZ, ex-OLD FUNERAL, ex-IMMORTAL, ex-AMPUTATION), and drummer Remi, HADES ALMIGHTY’s last album was 2004’s “The Pulse of Decay”, and the band had recently announced that they had renewed their contract with DARK ESSENCE RECORDS and were working on their next release. In a statement issued by Jorn and Remi, both emphasised that this most definitely does not signify the end of a band, whose ability to convey the real darkness that lies within human passion had placed them in the forefront of the Black Metal genre, but rather a new beginning:

“Janto, The lead singer/bass player of HADES ALMIGHTY, has, after 22 years by our side, decided to leave the band permanently!
There is no bad blood between us, as we still are best of friends, and will continue being friends. This is a decision he made completely by himself.

Janto has been, and still is, a brilliant musician, bass player and composer, both musically and lyrically! It has been 22 years of great times, many, many inspirations in many ways. We salute you our brother in arms! More than two decades of dedication in The Horde of HADES is something to be proud of, and we salute the raven of war and crimes in music and friendship! HAIL!

We will continue working on the new album as planned and it is due to be finished in 2015. The EP, which was due to be released at the end of 2014 will suffer some delay because of this matter, but nothing significant!

All shows are hereby cancelled, but we will of course return as soon as we have the opportunity!

This means that HADES ALMIGHTY is entering a new era, starting from this day forward! We would like to reach out to our followers, FANS, promoters, record label, booking agencies, and crew, for a little understanding that our already booked shows, and future plans, will be delayed! We are honestly sorry for that, and we are already in the process of finding a replacement for Janto, but that alone is a long process, and surely not an easy one!!
Best regards from HADES ALMIGHTY
Jørn & Remi”

Regarding his reasons for departure Janto had this to say:

“It has not been an easy decision, but it has been made.
22 years have passed and it has been a bumpy ride, but… a great one. I would like to thank all our fans and supporters throughout the years. You have been loyal and fantastic.

I would also like to thank Jørn and Remi for all the good times in the rehearsal studio, on the road and on stage. I wish you all the best in your future work with HADES.
You are my best friends. My band days are over but our brotherhood remains !

DARK ESSENCE RECORDS will host a listening session at Bergen’s Beyond the Gates Festival 2014 where attendees will have the opportunity to be the first people to hear tracks from the upcoming albums from TAAKE, GALAR, KRAKOW, and the label’s new signing MOMENTUM. The session will take place at the Garage, Bergen, on Saturday 30th August from 14:00 – 16:00.

Additionally, KRAKOW will hit the stage at the Garage at 18:00 on Friday 29th to perform a set.

Commenting on the event, DARK ESSENCE’s Martin Kvam said: “Beyond the Gates is the ideal setting for us to showcase what fans can expect from these great bands over the coming months. Most people are already aware that we have new albums from GALAR, KRAKOW and MOMENTUM in our release schedule, but we haven’t announced anything at all about the new TAAKE, so knowing that this one is coming up should be a welcome surprise for their fans. We’re all very much looking forward to hearing everyone’s reaction to what they are going to be listening to on Saturday”.

More information about DARK ESSENCE RECORDS and their bands can be found at www.darkessencerecords.no

Details about the Beyond the Gates festival which runs for three days from Thursday the 28th to Saturday 30th August, and which this year features performances from bands such as PRIMORDIAL, NIFLHEIM and INQUISITION amongst others, can be found at https://www.facebook.com/beyondthegatesbergen

Dark Essence Records have today revealed details, including the artwork and track-listing, for “De gjenlevende”, the upcoming album from Norwegian Black-Folk Metallers GALAR. Mixed and recorded at Bergen’s Conclave and Earshot Studio by producer and VULTURE INDUSTRIES frontman Bjørnar E. Nilsen, “De gjenlevende” (The Bereaved) is a follow up to 2010’s “Til Alle Heimsens Endar”, and will be GALAR’s third-full length album. Artwork for the album is by Robert Høyem of graphic designers Overhaus.

“De gjenlevende” sees GALAR’s founders M. Kristiansen (screams, guitars and bass) and A. B. Lauritzen (clean vocals, bassoon and grand piano) and drummer Phobos (AETERNUS, GRAVDAL, MALSAIN), joined by several session musicians that include both a string quintet and a horn quartet which fit in with the epic nature of the material, both musical and lyrical, that has been created for the six-track, concept album. Entirely written in Norwegian, the track entitled “Ljós” will be an instrumental, whilst the other tracks are longer, and more epic than previous work by the band.

Jorge Blutaar, the band’s lyricist, recently briefly explained the concept behind the album, which draws its inspiration from Pan-European folklore, ontology, and elegies. “Its five contemplative texts tell of the utter dreadfulness that haunts both the human mind and body when the season of winter holds every living thing in its grasp. Winter is the time of utter gloom, enfeeblement and inescapable death, which challenges mankind, beasts and plants equally. Yet, as long as there is life, there is hope, and eventually a new era of the Sun will bring to an end the seemingly eternal darkness of winter. With the arrival of spring hope and life will flourish once more. It is a portrayal of this cyclical process of transformation that is as old as the history of mankind itself”. Fans worried about not understanding the Norwegian lyrics need have no concerns, as the album comes with an explanatory booklet.

Track listing for “De gjenlevende”, whose estimated date of release is the 20th October, is as follows:

Although the band’s recorded output has lain virtually dormant since 2004 when Dark Essence Record re-released their 2001 classic “The Pulse of Decay”, things are definitely starting to stir in the HADES ALMIGHTY recording front, so much so, in fact, that Dark Essence have renewed their contract and are planning to release a new album from the legendary Norwegians.

Formed in 1992 by guitarist Jorn (DOMINANZ, ex-OLD FUNERAL, ex-IMMORTAL, ex-AMPUTATION), and drummer Remi, HADES ALMIGHTY became a fully functioning band with the arrival of Janto on Bass and vocals, and Nagel on guitar and the release of their first demo “Alone Walkyng”. A series of further releases followed, but it was the appearance of “Pulse of Decay” that really catapulted HADES ALMIGHTY to the forefront of the Black Metal genre, by demonstrating their ability to convey the real darkness that lies within human passion.

With today’s lineup of Janto, Jorn and Remi, HADES ALMIGHTY have proved time and time again in the live arena that they are a force to be reckoned with, and that they rightly deserve to be called “the heaviest Black Metal three-piece in the world”. With another two of the band’s albums “…Again Shall Be” & ” Dawn Of The Dying Sun”, being released on CD and vinyl in 2010, calls from fans for new material have been increasing, and with work on a new album progressing well, it looks like those calls will, at long last, be answered.

With their latest album “…And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth” receiving high praise from reviewers, Norwegian Dark Metallers AETERNUS are streaming a second track from what is their seventh full-length album on their SoundCloud page. The track “Spurcitias” can be heard here http://soundcloud.com/aeternusnorway/aeternus-spurcitias

“…And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth” was released earlier this year on Dark Essence Records, and was produced by Bjornar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) at the Conclave and Earshot studios in Bergen. All music for the album is by AETERNUS, whilst the concept and lyrics are by the band’s former bassist V’gandr (TAAKE, HELHEIM). Artwork for the ten-track album is by Timo Ketola, known for his work with bands such as for DEATHSPELL OMEGA, ASPHYX, DISSECTION MARDUK, WATAIN and OPETH amongst others. The first pressing includes AETERNUS’ 1995 “Dark Sorcery” EP as a bonus and is available directly from the label at http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/artist/aeternus.

AETERNUS was one of the original pioneers of what these days is called Dark Metal, and which, in AETERNUS’s case, combines features from both Black and Death Metal, together with occasional melodic interludes and superlative guitar playing. The band’s current line up includes guitarist and frontman Ares, who originally founded the band in 1993, Specter (ex-GRAVDAL) on guitars, Eld (KRAKOW) on bass and Phobos (GRAVDAL, MALSAIN) on drums. More information about AETNERNUS can be found on the band’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Aeternusofficial

SLEGEST, the solo project of former VREID guitarist Ese, has inked a deal with Dark Essence Records for the release of the band’s debut full length album. No release date has yet been set, but it is anticipated that the album will appear world-wide towards the end of 2013.

Formed in 2010, it was the intention of Ese to create Black Sabbath inspired music with harsh vocals. An idea he took further, developing SLEGEST into the entity it is today with its rock-orientated sound distinguished by a distinctive Black Metal edge. SLEGEST’s first release was the self-titled 2012 EP, which appeared as both a digital release and as a 7” vinyl on Ese’s own label Systrond Recordings. Work on writing new material for the as yet untitled debut full-length album began in 2012, and the drum tracks have already been laid down at the Conclave and Earshot Studios in Bergen, Norway.

Whilst many maintain that solo projects can be limiting, Ese sees things very differently. As SLEGEST’s man (and only) man explains: “When you have to play every instrument yourself it does impose certain limitations on what you can, and cannot, do. But I have always had a very definite vision as to how I want SLEGEST to sound, and these limitations are very positive for the fulfilment of that vision”.

“Beginning/Relieve”, the first release on Karisma Records from the label’s latest signing SEVEN IMPALE, is set to appear world-wide on the 5th April. The five-track EP will be released digitally, and serves as an appetiser for SEVEN IMPALE’s debut full-length album, which the band will shortly begin recording at the Duper Studios in Bergen. Iver Sandøy, who produced KRAKOW’s “diin” and co-produced ENSLAVED’s “Riitiir”, will be at the helm. The title track from “Beginning/Relieve” was recently debuted on Karisma Record’s SoundCloud page and can be heard at at http://soundcloud.com/karisma-records/seven-impale-begining-relieve

Formed in Bergen, Norway in 2010, SEVEN IMPALE’s relatively young lineup consists of Stian Økland on vocals and guitars, Fredrik Mekki Widerøe on drums, Benjamin Mekki Widerøe on sax, Tormod Fosso on bass, Erlend Vottvik Olsen on guitar and Håkon Vinje on keyboards. What sets the band apart from many of the new arrivals on the scene is the diversity of musical disciplines that the members bring with them. From classical orchestra to big band, metal to jazz and rock to electronic, SEVEN IMPALE have fused all their experience and influences and created a sound that is uniquely theirs. From the hard-hitting “Blind To All” to the progressive and jazzy “What Am I Sane For?” and the softer “Measure 15”, “Beginning/Relieve” shows some of the many sides of the band and is the perfect introduction for the great things fans can expect from them.

Following on from their 2010 sophomore album “Til Alle Heimsens Endar” Norwegian Black-Folk Metallers GALAR have signed with DARK ESSENCE RECORDS for the release of a further two albums. Like its predecessor, the band’s third studio album, which will be titled “De Gjenlevende” (The Bereaved), will be concept album written entirely in Norwegian, and will include notes explaining both the overall concept as well as each individual lyric.

“De Gjenlevende” will consist of six songs, one of which will be an instrumental, which promise to be even longer, and more epic, than GALAR’s previous material. As well as the band’s two core members of M. Kristiansen on screams, guitars and bass and A. B. Lauritzen on clean vocals, bassoon and grand piano, the line up on the album will once again include Phobos (GRAVDAL, AETERNUS, MALSAIN) on drums, and will feature a series of session musicians that include both a string quintet and a horn quartet in keeping with the epic material. Plans are in place to enter the Conclave and Earshot studios in the autumn with producer Bjørnar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) at the helm.

Jorge Scholz, the band’s lyricist, explains the idea behind the album: “De Gjenlevende” will be, once again, a thoroughly crafted concept album. Its five contemplative texts tell of the utter dreadfulness that haunts both the human mind and body when the season of winter holds every living thing in its grasp. Winter is the time of utter gloom, enfeeblement and inescapable death, which challenges mankind, beasts and plants equally. Yet, as long as there is life, there is hope and eventually a new era of the Sun will bring to an end the seemingly eternal darkness of winter. With the arrival of spring hope and life will flourish once more. In its portrayal of this cyclical process of transformation, which is as old as the history of mankind itself, “De Gjenlevende” draws its ideas and inspiration from Pan-European folklore, ontology, and elegies”.

DARK ESSENCE RECORDS have today debuted a track from the upcoming album from Norwegian Dark Metallers AETERNUS. The ten-track album, titled “…And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth”, is set to hit the streets on the on the 22nd March in Norway and 1st April world-wide. “Ruin and Resurrect” the newly debuted track, can be heard at http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records/aeternus-ruin-and-resurrect

“…And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth”, which will be the band’s seventh full-length release, was produced by Bjornar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) at the Conclave and Earshot studios in Bergen. All music is by AETERNUS, concept and lyrics by HELHEIM’s V’gandr. The first pressing will include AETERNUS’ 1995 “Dark Sorcery” EP as a bonus. Track listing for “…And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth” as follows:

1: There Will Be None
2: …And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth
3: Spurcitias
4: Ruin And Resurrect
5: The Confusion Of Tongues
6: Hubris
7: Reap What You Saw
8: Saligia
9: The Hand That Severs The Bonds Of Creation
10: The Spirit Of Illumination

AETERNUS’ line up is formed of guitarist and frontman Ares, who originally founded the band in Bergen in 1993, and Phobos (GRAVDAL, MALSAIN) on drums and Specter on guitars. One of the pioneers of what the band calls “Dark Metal”, AETERNUS’ sound combines features from both Black Metal and Death Metal with superlative guitar playing and occasional haunting, melodic interludes.

AETERNUS’ next live appearance will be at this year’s Inferno Festival in Oslo on the 29th March. More information about AETERNUS can be found on the band’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Aeternusofficial

The DARK ESSENCE RECORDS SoundCloud player contains tracks from all the label’s releases, including the newly debuted AETERNUS track. It can be found here:

Details of “…And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth”, the new album from Dark Metallers AETERNUS, have just been revealed. The ten-track album, which will be the band’s seventh full-length release, will first appear as a limited edition which will include AETERNUS’ classic 1995 debut EP “Dark Sorcery” as a bonus, and is set for release on Dark Essence Records on the 18th March world-wide (except for Norway, Germany, Austria and Sweden where the album will appear on the 22nd March).

Formed in Bergen, Norway in 1993 by guitarist and frontman Ares, AETERNUS has re-emerged seven years after the release of their last album “Hexaeon” with a new line up that comprises Ares on guitars and vocals, Phobos (GRAVDAL, MALSAIN) on drums and Specter on guitars. One of the pioneers of what the band calls “Dark Metal”, AETERNUS’ sound combines features from both Black Metal and Death Metal with superlative guitar playing and occasional haunting, melodic interludes.

“…And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth” was produced by Bjornar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) at the Conclave and Earshot studios in Bergen. All music is by AETERNUS, concept and lyrics by HELHEIM’s V’gandr. Artwork is by Timo Ketola, known for his work with bands such as for DEATHSPELL OMEGA, ASPHYX, DISSECTION MARDUK, WATAIN and OPETH amongst others, band photos by Christine Ristesund. The bonus EP, “Dark Sorcery”, was recorded, mixed and mastered by Cato Langnes at Hindu Lyd in 1995 and produced by Aeternus. Lineup on “Dark Sorcery” is Ares on guitars and vocals, Erik (Vrolok) on drums and Ørjan on bass. All music and lyrics by Ares.

Track listing for “…And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth” as follows:

1: There Will Be None
2: …And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth
3: Spurcitias
4: Ruin And Resurrect
5: The Confusion Of Tongues
6: Hubris
7: Reap What You Saw
8: Saligia
9: The Hand That Severs The Bonds Of Creation
10: The Spirit Of Illumination

Having started the band way back in 1993, main man Hoest will celebrate 20 years of staying true to his musical identity by releasing a 20-song, 2 CD collection of TAAKE rarities. The anniversary album will be released on Dark Essence Records on the 1st of March in Norway and the 4th of March world-wide to coincide with a planned European tour which will herald the start of a year celebrating TAAKE’s unique contribution to Norwegian Black Metal.

Titled “Gravkamre, Kroner og Troner” (Burial Chambers, Crowns and Thrones), the release will not only feature exclusive new tracks, but also rare and previously unreleased material as well as alternative versions and recordings that have, until now, only been available on vinyl. “Et Pust av Oeyne”, a track from the album, has been debuted on the TAAKE SoundCloud page and can be heard at http://soundcloud.com/taake-official/taake-et-pust-av-oeyne

We’re really surprised and proud of the best of 2012 poll in Metal Hammer Norway. The staff at Metal Hammer Norway has gone through their favourite releases in 2012, and Krakow’s 2nd album, “diin”, ended up on 3rd place. So, a big thank you to Metal Hammer Norway for this!

Also, the band got a mention in the magazine’s “Band’s to watch in 2013” article, where Metal Hammer Norway suggests that Krakow’s sound would fit the National Opera House in Oslo. Well, to see Krakow play there, would be totally mindblowing!!

Thanks again for this Metal Hammer Norway, and we do hope that other magazines has some of the same sentiments towards Krakow and their album “diin”!

We’re proud to announce today the signing of Bergen-based post-metal crew KRAKOW who have just recorded their 2nd full-length album, “diin”, with producer Iver Sandøy (TRINACRIA, MANNGARD). KRAKOW have taken a huge step forward and upwards with this beast of an album, creating a unique sound and atmosphere that is entirely their own, and we are very proud to have them on our label. “diin” is scheduled for release in September of this year.

Formed in 2005 by Frode Kilvik (bass, vocals), Kjartan Grønhaug (guitar) and René Misje (guitar, vocals) KRAKOW recorded their first three-track demo within a couple of months of being together and went on to release their “Dusty Roads” EP in 2007. The band’s debut album “Monolith” appeared in 2009. Initially drawing their inspiration from bands such as ISIS, NEUROSIS, IRON MAIDEN and MASTODON, KRAKOW have gone their own way, producing a sound that is at times dark, evocative and beautiful, at other times fast and aggressive or heavy and mesmerizing. It’s with difficulty that anyone can pin a genre on KRAKOW but the names most mentioned when talking about the band are post-rock, metal and stoner rock. KRAKOW’s line up was recently expanded to include drummer Ask Ty Arctander of KAMPFAR and MONDVOLLAND. More information about KRAKOW can be found here

Below you can see fan-filmed footage of KRAKOW performing the track “Mound” live at the Nouveau Casino in Paris in 2011.

With the MCD “Kveld” released in April as a taster for the band’s fifth full-length album “Noregs Vaapen”, and with the album itself hitting the streets on DARK ESSENCE RECORDS on the 20th September in Europe, and a release date set for the 1st November in the USA, TAAKE has today released a music video for a track from the album. Directed by Torgeir Ness Sundli, the video, for song “Nordbundet”, is a mix of live footage of the band interspersed with scenes of the countryside around TAAKE’s home town of Bergen, which have been filmed by founder and front man Hoest, who also produced the video. Audio production is by Bjornar E. Nilsen and the video debuts today on the website of the Norwegian Radio Station Pyro, at

“Noregs Vaapen” was a much anticipated release from the band that is now seen as one of the leaders of the Norwegian Black Metal scene. Whilst never losing TAAKE’s traditional sound and atmosphere with its icy riffs, its melodies redolent of Norway’s history, and distinctive vocals, Hoest has not hesitated to add a few twists that have taken everyone by surprise and kept the music fresh and original, including the use of the banjo on one track. The addition of guest appearances by some of Black Metal’s elite including Nocturno Culto (DARKTHRONE), Attila Csihar (MAYHEM), Demonaz (IMMORTAL) and Skagg (GAAHLSKAGG, DEATHCULT) as well as producer and VULTURE INDUSTRIES front man Bjørnar E. Nilsen have added a further dimension to “Noregs Vaapen”.

TAAKE will celebrate the release of the album with a special live set at Det Akademiske Kvarter in Bergen on the 30th September, and will then head out for a European tour in October with fellow Bergen Blackened Metallers BYFROST and the UK’s DONN THE PHILOSOPHY. Tour itinerary, including newly confirmed dates as follows: